June 30
June 30, 2009
Elsie Rhodes Theriot Andrews
July 2, 2009
The poster shows a heron with a frog’s head in the bird’s mouth trying to eat it. Yet the frog has its legs wrapped around the heron’s throat under the headline “Never Give Up.” That image in a local team’s dugout has prompted a team of eight year olds to find success over the summer.
At age 8, most children use their summer break to play in the mud, go swimming, collect bugs or spend their day in front of the television. But the Central Lafourche Trojan Thunder are using the summer as a chance to hone their baseball skills, and find ways to win in the process.
The team, an all-star, coach-pitch baseball team, has participated in different tournaments throughout the season after playing recreational ball against the seven different teams in their division in the Central Lafourche Baseball Association.
Toward the end of the season, the coaches in the league selected 12 players out of 85 to be on the all star team based on talent, knowledge and commitment to the game.
Together, team members Joseph Brouillete, Cody Dies, Kolby Dufrene, Noah Theriot, Caleb Wilson, Jack Smith, Andre Chauvin, Ethan Cole, Brandon Babin, Thomas McGoey, Cody Pech, and Blake Trant have taken third place at the Belle Chase Tournnament held on May 30 and 31 and second in the Gator Get Down IV in Livingston on June 6 and 7.
They followed those top finishes with a first place finish at the Cypress Mounds Tournament in Baton Rouge on June 13 and 14 and currently stand at 12-3 on the season.
Head coach Larry Pech, along with assistant coaches Troy Babin, David Cole, Calbert Dufrene and Tommy Trant have seen an increase in their youngsters’ desire, which led to the victory at Cypress Mounds.
“What makes this team successful is their commitment to practice,” Pech said. “We have kids that are eager to learn the game and give it their all. We have a wonderful group of parents that are committed as well. In today’s busy lifestyle, our kids’ parents find the time to get them to practice two and three times per week.”
With two tournaments left to play, including the World Series Tournament in Mandeville to be held in July, Pech said it’s been a joy to watch such young players develop and learn the game.
“At 8 years old, it is a good feeling to watch these kids work on communication skills, teamwork and plain old hard work,” he said. “You get to witness a change in their awareness of the game, strength and teamwork. The kids are like sponges. They try to absorb all info given to them that we as coaches are trying to pass on. Hopefully, they can take what is learned and bring it with them as they grow and continue playing the game.”
However, coaching 8-year-olds has been a privilege as opposed to a challenge. The coaches have had as much joy coaching the future stars as the youngsters have had playing.
“I enjoy watching these kids put their talent to work,” Pech said. “We have a group of kids that are determined and interested in playing baseball. You do lose attention spans now and then, but we as coaches always remind ourselves that they are eight years old. It makes it interesting though, because you never know what they are going to do or say.”
No matter the outcome of the remainder of the season, everyone – coaches and players – has learned a lot about themselves and what it takes to enjoy the game known as “America’s Pastime.”
The Central Lafourche Trojan Thunder 8-year-old All-Star team poses after winning first place at the Cypress Mounds Tournament in Baton Rouge. Pictured are (front row, from left) Joseph Brouillete, Cody Dies, Kolby Dufrene, Noah Theriot, Caleb Wilson, Jack Smith, Andre Chauvin, (second row) Piper Smith – bat girl, Ethan Cole, Brandon Babin, Thomas McGoey, Cody Pech, Blake Trant, (back row) David Cole, Troy Babin, Calbert Dufrene, head coach Larry Pech and Tommy Trant. Photo courtesy of LARRY PECH
